One Hundred Years of Solitude

Product Details

One of the most influential literary works of our time,One Hundred Years of Solitudeis a dazzling and original achievement by the masterful Gabriel García Márquez, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature.

One Hundred Years of Solitudetells the story of the rise and fall, birth and death of the mythical town of Macondo through the history of the Buendía family. Inventive, amusing, magnetic, sad, and alive with unforgettable men and women -- brimming with truth, compassion, and a lyrical magic that strikes the soul -- this novel is a masterpiece in the art of fiction.

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Reviews

Rated 2 out of
5 by
Rabi from
If you're thinking about reading it, change your mindI can't recall the reason why I wanted to read this book. A few pages into it, I asked myself this question every 5 minutes. It was a chore to finish. This book was a story of too many characters doing nothing. Or the characters were doing something I wasn't able to understand. Maybe something was lost in translation? It's a long, long narrative and oh is it ever so confusing. Don't read it. Just don't.

Date published: 2014-03-01

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Richard_Sukhu from
Great ReadOne Hundred Years of Solitude is a great read. The book is written by Gabriel García Márquez. One Hundred Years of Solitude is the story of seven generations of the Buendía Family in the town of Macondo. The founding patriarch of Macondo, José Arcadio Buendía, and Úrsula, his wife, leave Riohacha, Colombia, to find a better life and a new home. The book explores themes such as; The subjectivity of experienced reality, The inseparability of past, present, and future, and The power of reading and of language. I would recommend this book for anyone over the age of 14 because of the violence.

Date published: 2012-01-23

Rated 1 out of
5 by
Kristilyn_@_Reading_In_Wi from
Classic or not, not worth the readI’m going to start this review by saying this: I absolutely hated One Hundred Years of Solitude and have no idea why it’s deemed a “classic.” Shh, quiet down. Let me defend myself. This was a book I had to read for my very first book club. Since it was already sitting on my shelf, collecting dust in its unread state, I thought it was great that the book club was reading it and I could finally take it off my TBR list. Well, I read it, but was not happy to do so. The novel starts off fine, great writing by Marquez, mapping out a magical scene. In fact, the first few pages are amazing to read. I was happy reading them—reading about the gypsies coming to Marcando, bringing normal everyday items that were deemed “magic.” It seemed like Marquez was mapping out the beginnings of what would be a fantastic book. Of course, the more I read it, the more I realized that this was a book that would not be in my “favourite reads” list. The entire book was confusing—is it to be read as realism? Fantasy? Fantastical-realism? Characters would die, but wouldn’t be dead; the word “solitude” is used way too many times; offspring had the same names which made being a reader confusing more than once. In fact, if I had to relate this book to one most recently released, I would say it’s similar to White Teeth, by Zadie Smith, though I liked White Teeth a whole lot more. There’s a story going on, people are multiplying, there are things happening, but there’s nothing going on that is so huge that makes you keep turning the page. You’re introduced to a lot of characters that just go about their days, doing nothing spectacular. It’s just one long narrative. One long narrative that I could barely stay awake reading (likewise for White Teeth, though at least with that one, I enjoyed the reading and wanted to take in every word. This one? Not so much.). If you’re like me, you’ll require something light and fluffy after reading this one. If you loved this book, then I commend you for gobbling down the pages like they were nobody else’s business but your own. Me personally, I plan to donate the book to the library or used book store. It’s not that special to me that I feel the urge to keep it around.

Date published: 2012-01-13

Rated 2 out of
5 by
Willa from
Skip ItI really wanted to like this book but sadly I didn't. It was long and boring and I had to force myself to continue reading it. I'm an avid reader but this book was just lost on me. I would not recommend it to anyone.

Date published: 2012-01-08

Rated 1 out of
5 by
stupefaction from
Not worth the effortThough this novel effectively communicates the circular nature of time through the similarities of these family members as their line progresses, it was far too long-winded and seemed a bit overdone. Perhaps that's the fault of the translation, however I wouldn't recommend this novel to anyone.

Date published: 2009-06-21

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Nico from
a pleasureI was captivated by this book for years I just kept coming back to it. This book brings politics and realities of South America to life. It contains some of the most glorious prose ever written. Marquez is truly the greatest writer I have ever had the pleasure to get lost with.

Date published: 2009-03-05

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Peachy_TO from
Take heed and make use of the family tree provided.Although there were moments that I felt I was on a bad acid trip soaring on a magic carpet over Incest Island, I relished in this enchanting tale of the beginnings of a civilization infused with wonderous magical realism. Garcia is a truly gifted artist who turns poetry into an intricately woven tale of a blood line of legend. www.booksnakereviews.blogspot.com

Date published: 2008-11-16

Rated 3 out of
5 by
mc2105 from
Quite interesting, yet kind of tiresomeThis book wasn't so bad after all.. The only thing is that at one point it seems like I had to push myself to read and keep reading.. because the story seems endlessly long and it seems as if never you will never finish the book. Sometimes it is hard to keep track of the events or the characters and it's quite easy to get confused, because their names are almost the same throughout the whole story and you might need to go back and read again in order to understand something.. I personally don't recommend this book, unless you have lots of time to be reading and patience to try to understand things clearly.

Date published: 2008-07-09

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Rodwell_Brown from
On "One Hundred Years of Solitude," by Gabriel García MárquezMagic, we are told, does not exist. It might seem to exist when we are children, but the belief in magic is discouraged as we navigate adolescence and forgotten in adulthood. Gabriel García Márquez, in his novel "One Hundred Years of Solitude" (1967,) has presented an opening to that forgotten magic - to that connection with the archetypal myth that is within each of us. The eccentricities and utter vastness of the Buendía family experience has a home in the collective mind of humanity. Their struggles, however exaggerated and bizarre, are somehow common and known. There is a sense of spiritual déja vu as the pages turn and the story moves. From the opening chapter, Márquez establishes as sense of kinship between the reader and the characters. The boy who would become Colonel Aureliano Buendía, along with his brother, José Arcadio, and father, also José Arcadio, visits the camp of Melquíades, a traveler who presents the scientific discoveries of the outside world to the secluded townsfolk of Macondo. As a chest opens and the Buendías witness, for the first time, what they perceive to be the miracle of ice, there is a sense of wonder in their reaction: “Little José Arcadio refused to touch it. Aureliano, on the other hand, took a step forward and put his hand on it, withdrawing it immediately. ‘It’s boiling,’ he exclaimed, startled.” Here is a voice for the magic of childhood. Here is the beauty of discovery and of experience. As I read these words I recalled that feeling of the absolute wonder of life, a sensation that we, as adults, too often deny ourselves in our pragmatic and overly-distracted society. Just as Márquez gives the reader joy and magic, he also gives sorrow. There is a sense of the heaviness of mortality in Macondo, though the characters, at times, seem to live beyond the typical age of humans. Later in his life, following years of war and fighting for what he discovers to be hollow ideals, Colonel Aureliano Buendía faces death. He discovers that he has lost all human connection, and with this comes the realization that he has lived a life devoid of true love. He surrenders, and with that submission the reader is left to feel as empty and lost as the character. From the innocent awe of childhood through the romance of youth and early adulthood to the melancholy remembrances of the aged, Márquez presents an act of fiction kindles a sense of common humanity within the reader. “One Hundred Years of Solitude” demonstrates, unequivocally, that we are not alone.

Date published: 2008-01-26

Rated 5 out of
5 by
SarahH from
WonderfulOne of my favorite books ever!

Date published: 2008-01-19

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Cicero from
A fantastic journey through Macondo's historyI must confess, the first time I tried to read this book I couldn’t finish, I got lost in the characters’ names which prevented me from really enjoying it, maybe I was too young or not so smart. Seven years later I tried again and was amazed. This is, so far, Gabriel García Marquez masterpiece and the most important book of its genre: magical realism, where mundane circumstances are mixed with supernatural occurrences and the characters involved tend to see the events as an annoyance, a setback. One hundred years of solitude is the story of the Buendía family and the village they found: Macondo. The story is full of absurd events which occur without explanations, in fact, nobody really tries to explain anything. They just go on. Many events are so farfetched that it is impossible not to laugh at the end. While reading the book, sometimes I would catch myself laughing like a madman. Filled with romance, tragedy, supernatural events and lovely characters this is a wonderful book which will left you amazed for a long time and, if you decide to go further, read “Living to Tell the Tale” the first volume of Gabriel’s autobiography. You’ll notice how a wonderful writer twists the reality and create a delightful story. Note: don’t let the names’ repetition worry you, they are part of the fun. In case you need help there is a Family Tree at the Wikipedia website.

Date published: 2007-12-07

Rated 3 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
A few things cleared upThe book is supposed to implement magical realism, where magical activities are accepted as a part of normal life. Therefore, if someone is levitating, it's viewed as normal as if they were walking into the room. This is a recurring theme in many Latin American novels. Also, the reason that multiple characters have the same name is to show continuity within the generations and to show how all these characters are linked over the chasm of time. You can also see this in Salman Rushdie's writing.

Date published: 2007-07-24

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
Worth the Effort!I agree with the other reviews that it is a hard book to get into. The names are very confusing , so thank God for the family tree at the begining of the book. Once you give in to and accept the unrealistic aspects of the story you will be able to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of this book. It's a book that reads like someone telling you a tall tale that you want to believe is true! It is one of the most challenging but most rewarding books I have read in long time and I read quite a few books.

Date published: 2007-01-29

Rated 1 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
A very strange bookAlthough I have read quite a few books recomended by Oprah, I have to wonder if she really read this book. It was completely unrealistic, everyone had the same name, and it took wayyyyy to long to finish. The fact was I had to force myself to finish it. I do have to say it was beautifly written, and some interesting things happen. It just wasn't what I was expecting, and not the type of book I generally enjoy reading. It was almost sci -fi because such unrealistic things happen.

Date published: 2007-01-15

Rated 1 out of
5 by
rima_bird from
Absolutely not!Well maybe I need help to read this book... I tried to, many times, just could not get through it. Up to this date am convinced the man must have been on drugs... if someone can tell me what is the big hype all about I would appreciate it...it gets thumbs down from me.

Date published: 2007-01-09

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Hibiscus from
Beautiful.One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a rollercoaster ride. His characters don't just speak to you, they stand up and scream to you. You, despite yourself, care about the Buendias, the marriages, the deaths and the births. I think one of the most beautiful places in the book is when the Orginal Buendia is tended to by the same man he murdered such a long time ago. Marquez uses magical realism to create a family you can almost remember gossiping about. It's not an easy book to read. It doesn't have any one story, any one direction, any one protaganist. The only way I can explain it - it's a journey and a description of the towns and places visited during it. And what a journey it is. Thrilling, bold and satisfying.

Date published: 2006-08-04

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
amazingGarcia Marquez' One hundred years of solitude is a fabulous book. At the beginning, one may find it somewhat difficult to remember all the characters (as most are all similarly named) yet once one gets into the book, one feels like part of the family. The book is full of magic and has one of the best, if not the, best ending ever.

Date published: 2006-07-29

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Jamie_Siddons from
A seductive myth-historyOne Hundred Years of Solitude follows a family and a town through several generations of life, death and upheaval. The overwhealming strength of the novel is Marquez' seductive writing, drawing the reader closer and closer. I could not escape the sensation that I was a child sitting at the foot of a wise and wizened elder who was telling the story of our past. It was important to me, crucial, that I listen carefully and trust everything that was said. A myth in the fullest sense of the word, One Hundred Years of Solitude reads as an astonishingly adept personal myth-history and avoids the pitfalls of traditional narrative choices. Stunning in its originality and creativity, Marquez will no doubt have you buying his complete works.

Date published: 2006-07-29

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Anonymous from
PerfectionOne Hundred Years of Solitude is one of those very rare novels that is written with such skill that you forget you are reading fiction, and start believing it is a history. The Buendia family that is the heart of this novel weaves its way throughout countless ages of humanity; magic makes way for science, before turning back again, as the history of the human species, replete with its loves and wars, the rebellions in both, and the truth of the human condition is explored with a poet's skill with words. Beautifully melancholy -- maybe the most perfect novel I've ever experienced.

Date published: 2006-06-30

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Monique from
Fantastical !I started this book a half a dozen times and could never get past the first 50 pages. I couldn't have continued without Oprah's help! Oprah's website offers a synopsys that explains how to read the book. I never, in one hundred years, thought I would need directions on how to read a book! But finally I was able to put myself in the frame of mind required and now I may just read the book a second time! I loved the weirdness of the entire story and recommend it to anyone that's looking for something different.

Date published: 2005-08-16

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Andrew_Parker from
One Hundred Years of SolitudeBy far, one of the most beautifully written literary works I've ever read. The story unfolds like poetry, with magic, tradition, art and love all spun into a fantastic blend of myth and historical accounts of the lives of a single family living in South America. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to read what I am sure is one of the greatest books of this century.

Date published: 2005-01-22

Rated 5 out of
5 by
James_Farkland from
Amazing bookI really loved the story and the way Gacia Marquez tells it, simply amazing. Too bad it gets poor reviews, maybe people have been reading it they way they watch Oprah, not a bad book just BAD READERS.

Date published: 2004-12-31

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Vivian from
Amazing!I loved this book, it was impossible to put it down. as for those who gave it bad reviews, I think they were too close minded to appreciate the literary beauty of this book. A must read!

Date published: 2004-12-08

Rated 4 out of
5 by
jen from
WowThis book really opened my eyes to how complex books and life in general can be. Being as I'm only 15,I think that reading this book was a necessary challenge-and a very enlightening one. I loved how it described every human nature that there was, and how each family member has a story to tell, and contributes to the story. Human life is not happy, and this book portrays this beautifully.

Date published: 2004-06-11

Rated 1 out of
5 by
Lisa from
TerribleI have read about 150 pages of this book and find it boring and confusing. This is the first time I have bought an "Oprah" book and found it to be extremely disappointing.

Date published: 2004-05-18

Rated 1 out of
5 by
brightjade from
One Hundred Years of SolitudeThe Monarch Book Club review (condensed): This book is a difficult read due to the quality of translation and our understanding of the culture. There are a lot of run on sentences. At the same time, the story line is confusing. The similar names each character bears and the jumbled sequence of events made it difficult for readers to follow. The mythical elements don't fit with the flow of the story. The strange behaviours of the characters are not convincing. Only two stoic members read the entire book. The wise ones quit half way. It is difficult to tell what the message is. The word solitude was debated. Some saw that solitude is a positive part of our life, while most characters used solitude excessively to escape from reality and to punish others. This family, finding solace within their own cocoon of solitude was not able to cope with love and loss, injustice, and social changes. This, we think led to the demise of the Buendia family. Most of us related to Ursula who was the matriarch of the family. The house and Ursula sustained the family and all fell apart when Ursula died. However, members are not able to establish a relationship with her character. Therefore, readers are not able to care enough to follow her story.

Date published: 2004-03-13

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Paul from
This is one of th ebest books I ever readThis is one of the best books I ever read, I could not put it down till I finished it. But we all know the almost every book that Gabriel Garcia Marquez wrote falls in the same category as this book, category being excellent!

Date published: 2004-01-20

Rated 5 out of
5 by
gracie from
Entrancing and ComplexThis is one of the most beautiful, complex and important novels i have ever read. Extremely satisfying to the last compelling page. One can say that it acts as a bible for the modern atheist: full of lust, murder, and betrayal. It should be read by everyone.

Date published: 2001-12-19

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Belisarius from
You HAVEN'T read this book???Well if that is you, let me encourage you to do so now. If you read much at all, you will have come by dozens of books that are tediously classified as "greatest books of the 20th century". Well, leaving aside all hyperbole and exaggeration, this novel is perhaps the most sweeping epic to be written in years, and written with a style so unique from other modern writers that it is an absolute pleasure to read. Cautionary note: try to read it in as little time as possible, as the number of characters with similar names will confuse you too much otherwise.

Date published: 2001-01-12

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Jeremy_Edwards from
Buy This Book NOW!!!An absolutely brilliant book. From start to finish, Garcia captures you in his tale. He masterfully conveys the cyclic pattern of human history, through his account of the Buendia family's story.

Date published: 2000-12-01

Rated 4 out of
5 by
Lynn from
Not for everyone...This book was a selection of our book club, and although the majority found it to be tough reading, I personally really enjoyed it. The flowing, conversational style of writing gives the book a personality of its own, and the mystical fantasy elements, told in such a matter-of-fact tone, give the book a warm, humourous outlook. With dozens of characters passing in and out of the narrative over the course of 100 years, attention is required to follow the action; however, the entertaining anecdotes more than make up for the work required. The ending is powerful, moving, and a rich reward for spending time with this classic novel. This particular edition is well-bound, and offers an excellent translation that sounds as if Marquez himself is speaking.

Date published: 2000-05-31

Rated 5 out of
5 by
Juan_De_Lujo from
More than mythicalOne Hundred Years of Solitude is Colombia, Garcia Marquez's home country. It might better be titled 400 years of solitude as it passes through (allegorically of course) each of the major stages of Colombian history, leading up to the 1950s. Anyone who wants to understand the country and all its problems needs to read this, and then a basic history. The picture then becomes much more clear.

– More About This Product –

One Hundred Years of Solitude

The following ISBNs are associated with this title:

ISBN - 10: 006112009x

ISBN - 13: 9780061120091

From the Publisher

One of the most influential literary works of our time,One Hundred Years of Solitudeis a dazzling and original achievement by the masterful Gabriel García Márquez, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature.

One Hundred Years of Solitudetells the story of the rise and fall, birth and death of the mythical town of Macondo through the history of the Buendía family. Inventive, amusing, magnetic, sad, and alive with unforgettable men and women -- brimming with truth, compassion, and a lyrical magic that strikes the soul -- this novel is a masterpiece in the art of fiction.

About the Author

Gabriel García Márquez was born in 1927 in the town of Aracataca, Columbia.Latin America's preeminent man of letters, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1982. García Márquez began his writing career as a journalist and is the author of numerous other works of fiction and nonfiction, including the novelsThe Autumn of the PatriarchandLove in the Time of Cholera, and the autobiographyLiving to Tell the Tale. There has been resounding acclaim for his life's work since he passed away in April 2014.

Editorial Reviews

“The first piece of literature since the Book of Genesis that should be required reading for the entire human race.”